Private English Tutoring Tips

I would like to try a bit of private english tutoring in HCMC. I am a CELTA-qualified teacher who currently works for the largest language school in the city.

Can any english teachers give me any tips as to the best way that I can go about this?

The other thing that I am wondering is what sort of rate I should be charging? - I am an experienced teacher, with experience over a range of age ranges.

Obviously I would like to get the best rate possible, however I don't want to price myself out of the market.

Any advise would be much appreciated

Cheers,

Ben

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WideAwake

Serial expat

Member since 18 November 2010

WideAwake

06 February 2012 00:27:06

262 posts

WideAwake

06 February 2012 00:27:06

#2

262 posts

~ Get business cards made that have your picture on them.

~ Target a particular student segment, e.g., students who want to study abroad. Most of them will have to take the IELTS, so you also become an expert on preparing for that test and the myriad of others that I mention in the next paragraph.

~Have literature printed that is designed for the segment, but also states that you tutor the 4 skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, or visa versa: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, PET, KET, plus...the SAT and ACT. The latter have reared their ugly heads in Vietnam of late, so it wouldn't hurt for a teacher to know the test taking strategies for them. It also wouldn't hurt to have this information on the back of the business cards, or you could even forego the literature and use the cards.

~ Go "Guerrilla" in your marketing. This would take a little moxie, but I don't think a person would get in trouble for it...most likely! What I'm suggesting next is a fairly common scene in HCMC, but it's usually a business doing it:

Go to the schools or universities when students are getting out of class. Either do a couple of runs up and down the front, handing out cards/lit. along the way, or you go to the nearest stop light and wait for it to turn red. When the motorbikes stop, you hand your information out to anyone with a backpack, or in the case of minors - their parents. You could also hire university students to do it for you, which would increase the amount of people who get your information.

~The wages can run from $10 to $50 p/h, depending on the type of class, your qualifications, how successful the client is in selling you on their tale of financial woe, etc. I have a friend who regularly makes $30 an hour doing private IELTS preparation, but he also holds a Trinity TESOL.

~ Take your time and build a client base. Word of mouth will do the rest, if you're good. Be careful not to burn yourself out! Personally, I can't teach more than 30 hours a week. If I do my lessons suffer, which makes my students suffer, which irks my boss...

Hanoi is much better suited for privates. I think the main reasons are the lack of foreign teachers there and the availability of the New Hanoian, a website that is widely used by Vietnamese and foreigners alike. There's nothing like it in HCMC, insofar as the range of readers that it touches.

If you need materials, send me a PM. I have just about anything you would need. That offer is open to anyone, students and teachers alike. I have a very wide range of textbooks in .pdf format and I want nothing in return, other than to know that people are learning English.

Anyone preparing for a TESOL or CELTA course can feel free to message me, too They have required readings and I've got ya' covered!

Hope this helps. Go get 'em Tiger!

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tomkat70

Contributor

Member since 02 February 2012

Ho Chi Minh

tomkat70

06 February 2012 04:42:35

194 posts

tomkat70

06 February 2012 04:42:35

#3

194 posts

Ho Chi Minh

I totally agreed with WideAwake. It depends on the type of class, your qualifications, how successful and effective you delivered your lesson. Based on my personal experience as a private tutor, I usually charged around $10 to $35 per hour in regard to the type of class, size of the classes. For individual, I usually charged about $15 per hour for basic English. As for test preparation, I charged about $25 . As for a group of basic English, example like four students, I charged them about $30 per hour by adding $5 dollars for each additional student incurred. You do the same thing for the test preparation. My maximum charged for a large group is about $60. I also limit my student class size to about 10 students. It’s for the better of the student learning. That’s just my experience I wanted to share with you. Hope that help you a bit. Good luck! Tom

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Anatta

ViP

Member since 26 July 2011

Anatta

06 February 2012 04:55:55

1063 posts

Anatta

06 February 2012 04:55:55

#4

1063 posts

Men. Hearing the fees you guys are charging make my mouth dropped.

I was recent offered to teach (part time) in a private university in SGN. A highly technical course to be taught in English. Their compensation: 5 USD/teaching hr , and of course, they don't pay for preparation time (i.e., I have to make my slides and homework assignment from scratch).

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WideAwake

Serial expat

Member since 18 November 2010

WideAwake

06 February 2012 17:10:44

262 posts

WideAwake

06 February 2012 17:10:44

#5

262 posts

Anatta :

Men. Hearing the fees you guys are charging make my mouth dropped.

I was recent offered to teach (part time) in a private university in SGN. A highly technical course to be taught in English. Their compensation: 5 USD/teaching hr , and of course, they don't pay for preparation time (i.e., I have to make my slides and homework assignment from scratch).

It's a matter of supply and demand. I have a friend inm the US that makes over 50K USD a year teaching computer networking via the internet, to students in Hanoi!

You're Vietnamese Anatta?

I've come to hate the placement tests, even though I profit from them. I'm sure that someone, somewhere has killed themselves because they didn't get the 6.5 on the IELTS that they needed to study abroad.

Does anyone want to take on a TOEFL iBT student? She just needs to improve her reading skills, but is convinced that the people at the TOEFL Monster have reinvented the task of taking a reading test. PM me if you're a native speaker from North America, have TOEFL iBT teaching experience, are patient and you're willing to work for $12 per hour, or less. I tried to tutor her, but after one lesson we both agreed that she needs someone else!

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Anatta

ViP

Member since 26 July 2011

Anatta

07 February 2012 03:01:17

1063 posts

Anatta

07 February 2012 03:01:17

#6

1063 posts

WideAwake

Yes, I am a VietKieu.I have no problem with supply and demand.

The thing that irks me is reading the newspapers complaining frequently that the VietKieus are not willing to help 'motherland' to improve and the screaming demand for skilled English-speaking lecturers at the few universities teaching in English here. Either you have Vietnamese speaking professors who know the courses but speak English badly or you have native English speakers who either don't know how to teach or not technically skilled in those professions (math, business, engineering, whatever...).

Add to that, the Vietnamese students are not good enough in English so they also prefer to have lecturers who can brief explain in Vietnamese what those new concepts are, if need be.

Therefore, I figured I would help since I have also been lecturer at similar courses abroad, but 4USD/hr, come on. Adding to the common ratio of at least 3-4 hr preparation per hour taught, it works out to be 1USD/hr.

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WideAwake

Serial expat

Member since 18 November 2010

WideAwake

07 February 2012 04:21:28

262 posts

WideAwake

07 February 2012 04:21:28

#7

262 posts

Anatta :

WideAwake

Yes, I am a VietKieu.I have no problem with supply and demand.

The thing that irks me is reading the newspapers complaining frequently that the VietKieus are not willing to help 'motherland' to improve and the screaming demand for skilled English-speaking lecturers at the few universities teaching in English here. Either you have Vietnamese speaking professors who know the courses but speak English badly or you have native English speakers who either don't know how to teach or not technically skilled in those professions (math, business, engineering, whatever...).

Add to that, the Vietnamese students are not good enough in English so they also prefer to have lecturers who can brief explain in Vietnamese what those new concepts are, if need be.

Therefore, I figured I would help since I have also been lecturer at similar courses abroad, but 4USD/hr, come on. Adding to the common ratio of at least 3-4 hr preparation per hour taught, it works out to be 1USD/hr.

Don't get me wrong Anatta, I agree with you. I've written on here before that I would rather land a job based on my teaching skills, rather than the pigmentation of my skin, or country of origin.

I've worked for $2 an hour here! It was a writing gig though, not teaching.

The consensus seems to be that a learners native tongue should be used minimally in the ESL classroom. I will use a "bridge" occasionally if we come upon something that I am unable to get across to the students. That's just another way of saying I will ask a student who does understand to translate the target language to the class.

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English House online

New member

Member since 31 January 2012

HCMC

English House online

07 February 2012 09:33:03

5 posts

English House online

07 February 2012 09:33:03

#8

5 posts

HCMC

We are looking for English teacher. Please send your profile to email: info[at]englishhouseonline.net

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WideAwake

Serial expat

Member since 18 November 2010

WideAwake

07 February 2012 10:01:20

262 posts

WideAwake

07 February 2012 10:01:20

#9

262 posts

English House online :

We are looking for English teacher. Please send your profile to email: info[at]englishhouseonline.net

Do you pay Viet Kieu who are native speakers of English the same rate as a white person who has the same qualifications?

I've talked to them. They pay from $12 p/h for online classes up to $30 p/h for communications classes.

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Anatta

ViP

Member since 26 July 2011

Anatta

07 February 2012 10:26:52

1063 posts

Anatta

07 February 2012 10:26:52

#12

1063 posts

WideAwake :

The consensus seems to be that a learners native tongue should be used minimally in the ESL classroom. I will use a "bridge" occasionally if we come upon something that I am unable to get across to the students. That's just another way of saying I will ask a student who does understand to translate the target language to the class.

Totally agree. However, the class I am talking about is not ESL. In fact, it is not an English class at all. It is a regular university class taught in English. Even though English should be used at all times and the students' English is OK in general, the students are not all up to par in the technical jargon areas.

There are just a few of them in SGN. The best one is arguably the public Ho Chi Minh City International University which has Engineering and Business degrees. Their classes are taught totally in English.

Otherwise than that, there are a few other places, most common classes/degrees are MBA's taught by the foreign universities set up here.

The idea is to provide, in addition to technical skills, also English skills as an alternative to the studying abroad option.

WideAwake :

Do you pay Viet Kieu who are native speakers of English the same rate as a white person who has the same qualifications?

A better question is "Do you hire Viet Kieu who are native speakers of English than a white person who has the same qualifications?" .

This topic was discussed in a separate thread in this forum some time ago.

For the sake of clarity, I am NOT an English teacher neither do I desire to be one.

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WideAwake

Serial expat

Member since 18 November 2010

WideAwake

07 February 2012 11:33:39

262 posts

WideAwake

07 February 2012 11:33:39

#13

262 posts

Anatta :

For the sake of clarity, I am NOT an English teacher neither do I desire to be one.

After I just asked EH a hard question for you and scared them away?

I understand now. What's the name of the course that you teach?A better question is "Do you hire Viet Kieu who are native speakers of English than a white person who has the same qualifications?"

You know the answer to that one!

I should behave myself, because I might need to go work at EH. Nahhh....I gotta' be me!

Come on English House, please answer the question. The people want to know!

Let me re-phrase it for you:

Teacher A is an American with a BA, TESOL, 1 year of teaching experience and golden brown skin.

Teacher B is an American, with a BA, TESOL, 1 year of teaching experience and pasty white skin.

Do they both get offered a job,if you need a teacher?

If the answer is yes, do they both get offered the same amount of money?

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Anatta

ViP

Member since 26 July 2011

Anatta

07 February 2012 13:32:06

1063 posts

Anatta

07 February 2012 13:32:06

#14

1063 posts

WideAwake :

Anatta :

For the sake of clarity, I am NOT an English teacher neither do I desire to be one.

After I just asked EH a hard question for you and scared them away?

I understand now. What's the name of the course that you teach?

Let me re-phrase it for you: [/b]

Teacher A is an American with a BA, TESOL, 1 year of teaching experience and golden brown skin.

Teacher B is an American, with a BA, TESOL, 1 year of teaching experience and pasty white skin.

Do they both get offered a job,if you need a teacher?

If the answer is yes, do they both get offered the same amount of money?

Sorry for destroying your ruse EH: pls just ignore my previous comments. I want to apply for the job, please, please. I can even bleach my skin to be pasty white, like Michael Jackson, if that is what you need. Heck, I can even do his moonwalk better in every class.

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WideAwake

Serial expat

Member since 18 November 2010

WideAwake

07 February 2012 14:42:49

262 posts

WideAwake

07 February 2012 14:42:49

#15

262 posts

I really need to get back to work, but I still have a week to go!!!

Any language schools hiring?

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jonh_nathan

Contributor

Member since 05 March 2010

Ho Chi Minh City

jonh_nathan

08 February 2012 15:03:56

152 posts

jonh_nathan

08 February 2012 15:03:56

#16

152 posts

Ho Chi Minh City

WideAwake :

English House online :

We are looking for English teacher. Please send your profile to email: info[at]englishhouseonline.net

Do you pay Viet Kieu who are native speakers of English the same rate as a white person who has the same qualifications?

WideAwake is fair, I like your question ...

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keldun

Member

Member since 15 December 2012

Ho Chi Min City

keldun

15 December 2012 23:08:07

1 post

keldun

15 December 2012 23:08:07

#17

1 post

Ho Chi Min City

Dear WideAwake,

I have been teaching overseas since 2006. I will be doing the CELTA course in Bangkok January 2013. I would be most interested in any reading materials you have for that course. I will be moving to Vietnam directly with the hopes to do some private tutoring there also. I found your email very helpful. Thank you!

I see your message is 2 years old... but if you still have some good IELTS materials, I would be very interested. I have just arrived in Vietnam and interested in private tutoring. Please contact me at stephen1029[at]gmail.comthanksstephen

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Rainier1983

Member

Member since 30 July 2014

Ho Chi Minh City

Rainier1983

30 July 2014 20:45:29

1 post

Rainier1983

30 July 2014 20:45:29

#22

1 post

Ho Chi Minh City

Hi There! I am Rainier and I am also very interested with your materials as I also aspire to become an English tutor specifically in Ho Chi Minh City. I'll be very very grateful if you can share with me your copy of manuals or pdfs so I can earn extra by spreading the knowledge. You may send the files to my email address at rjainsigne[at]yahoo.com.au. Xin Chao!

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Olivier101

ViP

Member since 20 June 2014

Pointe aux Sables

Olivier101

31 July 2014 08:46:44

533 posts

Olivier101

31 July 2014 08:46:44

#23

533 posts

Pointe aux Sables

Hello Steven and Rainier,

Welcome to Expat.com

As you are already aware the thread is two years old and you may not get any answer.

~ Target a particular student segment, e.g., students who want to study abroad. Most of them will have to take the IELTS, so you also become an expert on preparing for that test and the myriad of others that I mention in the next paragraph.

~Have literature printed that is designed for the segment, but also states that you tutor the 4 skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, or visa versa: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, PET, KET, plus...the SAT and ACT. The latter have reared their ugly heads in Vietnam of late, so it wouldn't hurt for a teacher to know the test taking strategies for them. It also wouldn't hurt to have this information on the back of the business cards, or you could even forego the literature and use the cards.

~ Go "Guerrilla" in your marketing. This would take a little moxie, but I don't think a person would get in trouble for it...most likely! What I'm suggesting next is a fairly common scene in HCMC, but it's usually a business doing it:

Go to the schools or universities when students are getting out of class. Either do a couple of runs up and down the front, handing out cards/lit. along the way, or you go to the nearest stop light and wait for it to turn red. When the motorbikes stop, you hand your information out to anyone with a backpack, or in the case of minors - their parents. You could also hire university students to do it for you, which would increase the amount of people who get your information.

~The wages can run from $10 to $50 p/h, depending on the type of class, your qualifications, how successful the client is in selling you on their tale of financial woe, etc. I have a friend who regularly makes $30 an hour doing private IELTS preparation, but he also holds a Trinity TESOL.

~ Take your time and build a client base. Word of mouth will do the rest, if you're good. Be careful not to burn yourself out! Personally, I can't teach more than 30 hours a week. If I do my lessons suffer, which makes my students suffer, which irks my boss...

Hanoi is much better suited for privates. I think the main reasons are the lack of foreign teachers there and the availability of the New Hanoian, a website that is widely used by Vietnamese and foreigners alike. There's nothing like it in HCMC, insofar as the range of readers that it touches.

If you need materials, send me a PM. I have just about anything you would need. That offer is open to anyone, students and teachers alike. I have a very wide range of textbooks in .pdf format and I want nothing in return, other than to know that people are learning English.

Anyone preparing for a TESOL or CELTA course can feel free to message me, too They have required readings and I've got ya' covered!

Hope this helps. Go get 'em Tiger!

Thanks a lot - you speak as a true teacher who cares. Kudos!

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bluenz

member

Member since 06 August 2013

Quang Ngai

bluenz

20 October 2014 17:15:42

1933 posts

bluenz

20 October 2014 17:15:42

#25

1933 posts

Quang Ngai

" Get business cards made that have your picture on them "

Bloody brilliant idea, then the Police can compare the Photo with your Passport Photo, when they deport you for operating a business without a licence, and " Illegal labour ", it's almost as intelligent as advertising on a public website???

'' Go to the schools or universities when students are getting out of class. Either do a couple of runs up and down the front, handing out cards/lit. along the way, or you go to the nearest stop light and wait for it to turn red. When the motorbikes stop, you hand your information out to anyone with a backpack, or in the case of minors - their parents. You could also hire university students to do it for you, which would increase the amount of people who get your information." Yep, nothing like a bit of " friendly " competition, it wouldn't take long before the school/Uni got wind of that, ( like the same day ), and informed the Authorities,

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tkathyjoie

Member

Member since 18 September 2015

Bacolod City

tkathyjoie

18 September 2015 06:45:25

1 post

tkathyjoie

18 September 2015 06:45:25

#26

1 post

Bacolod City

Hi! I have read you response to the latter. I am interested with your available teaching materials to share. I do online tutoring and I get my materials online too, however, sometimes I lack materials to students certain needs. If it's okay, would you mind sharing some with me? It would be very helpful.

Hi Ben I was wondering if you open to discussing possible English lessons for my Fiance.

Regards

Gary

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Neelk

New member

Member since 28 November 2016

Neelk

28 November 2016 12:05:01

2 posts

Neelk

28 November 2016 12:05:01

#29

2 posts

Hi everybody, I have just moved to Hanoi and looking to work with teaching English. I am a Tesol teacher and have worked in a nursery school in Dubai and have been a substitute teacher in the British international schools in the countries I have lived in. Have also been an English educator to children from royal families. Can any one suggest or give me some ideas where I can obtain some material. Thanks in advance

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VuandHuy

New member

Member since 21 September 2016

VuandHuy

06 December 2016 09:16:03

7 posts

VuandHuy

06 December 2016 09:16:03

#30

7 posts

Hi there. I'm a expat teacher too and only teach private students. Don't like the structure in schools and learning centers. Found I get the best rates when I teach Korean students. Range from 20-30 usd an hour. Usually in D7 or D2. Most of my students say they find tutors in Korean mags and Korean forums. The forums are just referral based so you can't advertise in there.

xxxVu

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